Oil crisis spreads beyond fuel as naphtha shortage squeezes Japan’s 46,000 manufacturers

The article argues the current oil crisis is no longer confined to energy markets, with a shortage of naphtha — a key refining intermediate — already rippling through industry. It says more than 46,000 manufacturers in Japan that rely on naphtha are under pressure, while polyethylene resin prices used in packaging rose 70–80% between February and April 2026. The piece adds that crude oil is the feedstock for more than 6000 everyday items, tightening supply chains and amplifying upward pressure on crude prices.